Sunday, August 16, 2009

Back to school


My girls and I started school this week. I started my fifteenth year as a high school teacher, Kern started sixth grade, Savannah is now in third, Shelby moved into first, and Alani is officially in school with Kindergarten.

We are now represented in the high school, middle school, and elementary schools in our town. All of us were both excited about the start of school and sad to see our summer of lounging around the pool come to an end.

On Tuesday, I skipped my first period of class to take the three youngest to their first day of the new year. With four daughters, I am often baffled by the differences in personalities that they all posses. One might assume that growing up with the same parents and same environment, there would be more similarities in my children.

Savannah was a veteran of the whole process, Shelby was terrified and crying the whole time, and Alani was... Alani.

She could not be more different than the other three. She is fearless, independent, incredibly intelligent, possesses a sense of humor way beyond her years, and has battled and overcome an addiction of using a foul tongue she inherited from her father. Basically, Alani has no idea she is 5-years-old.

When her mother and I walked her into the Kindergarten class on Tuesday, we were surrounded by other munchkins clinging to their father or mother's leg. Alani simply looked around the room, took a few steps away from me, and quickly turned back and looked up.

"You OK, baby?" I said.

"Yep. You guys can go now. I'll see you after school. OK, Dad?"

What? She didn't want us to stick around until class actually started like all the parents? She might have been ready for us to leave, but I wasn't ready to go.

"Well babe, I think your Mom wants to wait here with you for awhile. It is your first day of real school and all."

"OK Dad, but I am going to walk around and check it out."

After 20 minutes of waiting to meet her teacher, I left Alani and she didn't seem all that concerned with my exit. She sat down at her desk, opened a book, and started to thumb through the pages.

With that, my youngest and last daughter to enter school was ready to get started. It didn't seem to matter to her that I wasn't all that ready for her to move on to the next stage in her life.

16 comments:

  1. so cute! that's exactly how i'd hope my kids would be on their first day of school, and life - to be calm and ready

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  2. There's nothing better than when you see your kid handle themselves with poise and confidence.. And it sounds like the little one has both in spades.. :):)

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  3. Oh gods, my oldest starts kindergarten this week. I think he's going to be like Alani. I, on the other hand, will probably be a basketcase. :)

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  4. how great this post was! It struck such a chord... I think my children have all seemed more ready to move forward then I have felt to let them! Your girls are strong and well adjusted..and loved for who they are! an amazing gift you are giving them!

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  5. ahhh, yes, the fourth child. They have been there and done that with the older kids. No fears. I love and hate that about my fourth :)

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  6. Yay, Alani! What an exciting, special day! :)

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  7. Awww, Alani sounds just wonderful! Hope all of you have a great year!

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  8. awwww thats always way better then when they cry and are scared , that only hurts more when you have to walk away! Doing a great job dad!!!!

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  9. All of mine were different as well...I was glad it took the pressure off of me! It made me consider there were other variables besides...You are a crappy Mother!
    Enjoy your school year!

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  10. Just think of it as you're raising her well.

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  11. Your blog is awesome!I Love it, its always a good read!

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  12. I am convinced that girls who are raised with good self awareness, are so self assured that No ONE can put them down or make them insecure. :)
    Good job Dad.

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  13. Gosh, I can only hope that Bunny is as easy going as that two weeks from now! You guys start school early. That is so amazing that you could skip a period to take them to school.

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  14. Oh I know that feeling all too well. I actually cried the day my youngest went to kindergarten. He was wholly unconcerned, I, on the other hand was devastated. Now he is in jr. high and his sister just started college... time flies.

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  15. This post made me laugh... and then cry. A tissue, quick! You're such a great dad.

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